Why FG is building secretariat in states – Jonathan

By VINCENT UJUMADU
AWKA—President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure that states without federal secretariats got one was to reduce inconveniences federal civil servants outside the federal capital were encountering in their places of work.

The president, who spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, at the foundation laying of a new federal secretariat in Awka, also assured public servants that his administration recognized the importance of public service as the engine of public administration

The President said he would continue to strive to restore the dignity of the civil service.

According to him, the secretariat complex, awarded to COSCO Investment Nigeria Limited as the main contractor, has a completion period of 36 months.

It was gathered that the secretariat complex, estimated to cost about N2 billion, would have a total of 400 office rooms, 140 toilets and a parking space for 200 cars.

He explained that the Federal Government would soon perform the foundation laying for the construction of similar secretariats in Zamfara, Osun, Gombe and Nasarawa states.

President Jonathan commended Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, for his impressive strides towards developing the state since he assumed office and urged him to ensure effective supervision of the project from foundation to completion.

Minster of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amah Pepple, said the Federal Government was delighted to learn that Anambra State was making progress under Governor Obi.

She expressed satisfaction with the contribution of federal civil servants in the state towards the realization of the governor’s noble efforts.

Pepple assured that her ministry would ensure timely completion of the project in collaboration with stakeholders.

The state governor, Mr. Peter Obi, in his speech, commended the Federal Government for initiating the project and observed that Anambra State was benefiting from the Jonathan administration because of the relative peace the state had achieved in the last six years.

He assured that the state would take up the responsibility of supervising the execution of the project to ensure it was completed on schedule and according to specification.

He also said the state government would dualize the road leading to the site of the secretariat from Aroma Junction on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.